Fremont Street Experience Counts Down to 2009 With TributePalooza

Las Vegas’ famed Fremont Street Experience is ready for a smash New Year’s Eve celebration with TributePalooza and the world premiere of its newest Viva Vision extravaganza, “KISS Rocks Vegas.” Tickets are free to locals with valid Nevada ID (21 and over). For those traveling from out of town, tickets can be purchased for $20 by calling 877-834-2748.

Revelers are invited to celebrate the final hours of 2008 in true Las Vegas fashion at the city’s one-stop outdoor entertainment venue. The night will be filled with music as eight live tribute bands rock the crowd. The street will be packed with action while the Riders of the Thunderdome thrill with their Globe of Death motorcycle show and the giant Viva Vision screen dazzles with a light and sound extravaganza 90 feet above the street. The five blocks of the fabulous Fremont Street Experience, home to 10 legendary casinos, will be transformed into the biggest private party in Las Vegas.

TributePalooza features eight top tribute bands, performing classic favorites for all ages from Aerosmith, Billy Joel, David Bowie, Eagles, KISS, Queen, the Rolling Stones and U2.

Aeromyth, the ultimate tribute to Aerosmith (www.aerosmithtribute.com), not only has amazing Steven Tyler and Joe Perry look alikes, but all band members look and sound like the band members they portray. The Long Run (www.thelongrun.net) is regarded as the finest tribute to the Eagles, consistently delivering faithful recreations of the lush harmonies and rich instrumental arrangements that make the Eagles an unforgettable part of rock history.

Local Las Vegan Michael John’s seamless imitation of Billy Joel (www.billyjoeltributeshow.com) entertains crowds with the same intensity and passion as the Piano Man himself. Space Oddity, David Brighton’s Tribute to David Bowie (www.davidbowietribute.com) pays tribute to rock’s most electrifying superstar, complete with costume changes and an extensive set list.

The Original Kiss Army (www.thekissarmytribute.com) fully re-creates vintage KISS in all its glory. The band members prowl the stage and stalk the audience, generating unrivaled excitement with unbridled energy and classic stage raps. 2U (www.notu2.com) faithfully imitates U2’s top hits through the decades. Satisfaction (www.rollingstoneshow.com) is internationally acclaimed as the most authentic cast and production show paying tribute to the Rolling Stones. Lastly, Queen Nation (www.queennation.com) rounds out the TributePalooza line-up with their amazing renditions of Queen’s explosive hits.

In conjunction with America’s Party, Fremont Street Experience presents the world premier of “KISS Rocks Vegas” Viva Vision show at 9 p.m. The show features three of the band’s worldwide hits, “Lick It Up,” “Shout It Out Loud” and the rock anthem “Rock ‘n’ Roll All Night,” stylistically showcasing the band’s rich history, iconic make-up and costumes surrounded in a cacophony of fire and pyrotechnic graphics.

“As part of America’s Party, Fremont Street Experience’s New Year’s Eve celebration is the party of the year. Nothing can compare to standing beneath 12.5 million lights counting down the last seconds of the year with the classic Las Vegas neon flashing, nonstop entertainment and everyone having the time of their lives,” said Jeff Victor, president of the Fremont Street Experience. “This year, the party is even bigger and better with fireworks under the canopy, a Fremont Street Experience first.”

America’s Party is the official moniker coined by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and Las Vegas Events to signify the annual citywide celebration on December 31. This year’s festivities include a themed fireworks extravaganza on the Las Vegas Strip, as well as the TributePalooza live concerts at the Fremont Street Experience. This New Year’s Eve also marks a first for Fremont Street Experience with a special fireworks display under the canopy.

Guinness World Record Holders Bela Tabak’s Riders of the Thunderdome perform in the Globe of Death, which is fashioned from four tons of steel. The motorcycle daredevil team features four riders who attain speeds in excess of 40 mph while racing inside the 14-foot, 3-inch globe simultaneously.

Viva Vision, the LED display canopy rising 90 feet in height and stretching 1,500 feet along the Fremont Street Experience promenade from Main Street to Fourth Street, forms a spectacular foyer for the existing resorts. Stretching the length of five football fields, Viva Vision serves as the showcase for the world’s largest graphic display system. Within the canopy itself are 208 speakers capable of producing 550,000 watts of concert-quality sound.

America’s Party and TributePalooza Live in Concert at the Fremont Street Experience opens at 6:00 p.m. Guests can access the venue at any of the gates located at Fremont and Casino Center, Fremont and 4th and Fremont and Main. All attendees must be at least 21 years of age. Parking is available at the Fremont Street Experience parking garage on the corner of 4th and Carson and at all Fremont Street hotel-casinos.

The New Year’s Eve celebration at the Fremont Street Experience brings crowds of partygoers to Downtown Las Vegas every year and has become a tradition for visitors and locals alike.